Fire-hit former Northampton social club could become care apartment block

An artist's impression of a new residential care facility planned for Kingsthorpe.

Mears Care, which operates more than 100 facilities across the UK, wants to convert the former United trades Club in Balmoral Road, Kingsthorpe into a “supported living” facility for the elderly and disabled.

The 80-apartment block would be four storeys in height and would come with a 40-space car park.

A planning statement prepared on behalf of Mears Care states: “The scheme at Balmoral Road will provide much-needed self-contained specialised supported housing for individuals with a range of support needs in Northampton.”

While Mears Care is not proposing an age limit for residents, it does expect most would be elderly.

The company says all of the apartments will be “fully accessible” with shower rooms adapted as wet rooms.

They will also have “assistive technology”, which will allow residents to call for nursing assistance depending on their needs.

Members of the public will be able to make comments on the scheme until October 4.

In June, 2014, the first floor of the United Trades Club was gutted by fire. The building had been earmarked for a housing development of 23 flats and 23 parking spaces, but the time limit lapsed on the bid.